VISIT OUR NATION'S CAPITAL
Our nation’s capital is beautiful throughout the year and is a popular vacation spot for people around the world. With the museums, parks, and monuments, almost all of which are free, a trip to Washington, D.C. is an enriching historical and cultural experience. If you and your family are planning a trip to Washington, D.C please review the sections below for more information about visiting the Capitol, White House, and other popular attractions. You can contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-7772 or send an email to Courtney Sosnowski at TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov for more information and to set up tours of the White House and Capitol.
Presidential Inauguration 2021
The Presidential Inauguration will take place on January 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. In order to attend, you must receive a ticket from a congressional office.
My office is currently accepting requests for Inauguration tickets from constituents of Texas' 26th Congressional District. In order to put your name on the list and receive the information you need, you can send an email to Courtney Sosnowski at TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov.
In your email, please include the following information:
- Name
- Full Home Address
- Phone Number
- Desired # of tickets
Tours My Office Can Request on Your Behalf
White House
***Due to COVID-19 public health concerns, the White House has updated its tour policy***
As of Sept. 12, 2020 the White House will resume public tours.
Tours will be hosted two days a week instead of five, on Friday and Saturday, from 8:00AM to 11:00AM.
Beginning in November 2020, reservation requests can be placed for Tuesday-Saturday.
There are no options to tour the White House during the week of Thanksgiving 2020.
Number of guests is limited to 18% of normal capacity.
Added Safety Precautions:
- All guests (ages 2 years and over) are required to wear a face covering and practice social distancing during their visit to the White House complex.
- Social distancing dots will be placed on the ground for guests during the check-in process.
- National Park Service, U.S. Secret Service Officers, and Visitors Office staff working the tour route will wear face coverings, gloves, and encourage social distancing when engaging with guests on complex.
- Hand sanitizer will be available in multiple locations.
Requests should be submitted as soon as possible, especially for dates during peak season such as March-July and December. Up to three tour dates can be requested, but we are unable to request a specific time of day for your tour to take place.
**The White House does not accept tour requests less than 21 days in advance. However, tours are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis and often fill up sooner. During peak season (March-July and December) tours typically fill up 2.5 to 3 months in advance.**
To request a White House Tour, please send an e-mail to Courtney Sosnowski in my D.C. office and include the following information:
• Name
• Number of People in the Group
• Requested Tour Dates (Maximum of three dates, Tuesday through Saturday morning)
• Home Address
• Cell Phone Number
After my office submits your request, you will receive an email directly from the White House Visitors Office with a secure link to submit the remaining information required for the request. This information must be submitted directly to the White House to complete your request. Please note: All tours are subject to approval by the White House and may be denied or canceled at any time due to special events. You can contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-7772 or email Courtney Sosnowski for more information.
***Due to COVID-19 public health concerns, the Capitol has temporarily suspended public tours.***
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. It has housed the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives for almost two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored. Today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders, but also to the American people and their government.
U.S. Capitol Tours also require advanced notice. To request a tour of the Capitol, please send an e-mail to Courtney Sosnowski in my D.C. office, and include the information below.
- Name
- Number of people in the group
- Requested Date for the tour (Monday-Saturday)
- Preferred time (a.m. or p.m.)
- Home Address
- Cell Phone Number
The Congressional Special Services Office provides information about tours for the disabled by telephone at (202) 224-4048 (voice) or (202) 224-4049 (TDD). Additional accessibility information is available.
***Due to COVID-19 public health concerns, the FBI has temporarily suspended public tours.***
FBI Experience Tour
The FBI Experience is a self-guided tour at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Open to the public with advance reservations, the tour features interactive multimedia exhibits, history, and artifacts to illustrate FBI’s work in protecting the nation. The FBI Experience Tours are available Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with a minimum of 4 weeks advanced notice. To learn more, visit the FBI Experience Website.
For schools and organized groups of more than 12 people, please submit your tour request online. For individuals, families, and smaller groups, please contact Courtney Sosnowski at TX26Tours@mail.house.gov in my Washington DC office or at 202-225-7772 so that we may assist in scheduling your tour.
To request the FBI Experience Tour, please email Courtney Sosnowski and provide the following information:
- Name
- Number of people in the group
- Requested Date for the tour (Monday-Friday)
- 2 or More Preferred Time Slots (9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.)
- Home Address
- Cell Phone Number
Additionally, for each person in the group planning to attend the tour, please include:
- First, Middle, and Last Name
- Date of Birth
- Country of Birth and Citizenship
***Due to COVID-19 public health concerns, the Pentagon has temporarily suspended public tours.***
The Pentagon
Public tours of the Pentagon are available Monday through Thursday between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., by appointment with a minimum of 14 days advanced notice. Individuals and groups may book tours through the Pentagon directly on its website. If you have any questions or would like my office to assist with booking the tour, please contact Courtney Sosnowski at TX26.Tours@mail.house.gov or call 202-225-7772.
***Due to COVID-19 public health concerns, the Department of the Interior has temporarily suspended public tours.***
U.S. Department of the Interior Tour
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with eight bureaus, is the nation's principal conservation agency, charged with the mission "to protect and provide access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and our commitments to island communities." The Department of Interior tour is a half day tour and is limited to groups of five or fewer. Specifically, the tour takes you to the destinations below. Please note that at various times some destinations may be closed for renovation:
To request a Department of Interior tour please send an e-mail to Courtney Sosnowski in my D.C. office at least two months in advance, and include the information below.
- Name
- Number of people in the group
- Requested Date for the tour (Monday-Friday)
- Home address
Please note that no wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, or car seats are permitted on this tour.
Other Places of Interest
The Library of Congress
Public tours of the Library of Congress are conducted Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Walk up tours are available without reservations, or if you prefer to have an advance reservation, contact my office by email. For more information on the available tours, visit the Library of Congress Website.
The Supreme Court
Public lectures are conducted at the Supreme Court Monday through Friday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. During oral arguments, visitors are able to sit and observe in the court room. More information on the courtroom calendar and information for visitors can be found here.
Bureau of Printing and Engraving
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing offers tours Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Between March and August, free admission tickets are required for tours. A limited number of timed tickets are distributed at the ticket booth at 8:00 a.m. For more information on visiting the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, please call (866) 874-2330 or visit its website.
The Smithsonian Institution
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with free admission to the Smithsonian Institute, Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History, Arthur Sackler Gallery, Arts and Industries Building, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African Art, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, National Zoological Park, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Udvar Hazy Center. For more information call (202) 357-2700 or visit its website.
The Kennedy Center
Free tours are from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend tours are given from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Reservations can be made but are not required. For more information, call (202) 416-8340.
Arlington National Cemetery
Open daily October through March from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and April through September from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier occurs every hour on the hour and every half hour during summer months. For more information, call (703) 607-8000.
National Arboretum
The Arboretum grounds are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas. Admission is free. For more information call (202) 245-2726 or visit its website.
National Zoo
The National Zoo is open every day of the year except for Christmas. Admission is free. The National Zoo’s website offers schedules for special interactive attractions such as fish feeding, sea lion or seal training, meet a mammal keeper, and pelican feeding. For more information call (202) 673-4800.
Theodore Roosevelt Island
Theodore Roosevelt Island is open every day between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. For more information call (703) 289-250 or visit its website.
United States Botanic Garden
Open daily (including weekends) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Groups of 10 or more can request a tour by appointment. For more information call (202) 225-8333 or visit its website.
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